Birchwood House Rest Home

Infection control and the safety of both residents and staff often requires quarantine measures and the isolation of care home residents. To test, monitor and allow residents to communicate with relatives, the prevalence of room-level connectivity within the home is becoming increasingly relevant.

Wireless Internet access (WiFi)

The Care Organisation has not indicated availability

Mobile Phone Network Coverage (mobile “signal”)

The Care Organisation has not indicated availability

Telephone for external calling

The Care Organisation has not indicated availability

Birchwood is a fabulous house in a stunning setting. A former manor house, it still has the feel of a relaxed country house, enhanced by the beautiful 9-acres of landscaped gardens, which can be enjoyed all year round.

Our communal rooms are all attractive and enjoy views onto the stunning gardens. Residents can choose to sit in one of our two spacious lounges or our beautiful Victorian conservatory, complete with a passion-flower canopy and red and white grape vines. Lunch, tea and supper are enjoyed in our sunny, inviting dining room, where residents can sit at small tables with their friends.

We have weekly visits from a hairdresser, a chiropodist who comes in every six weeks and twice monthly visits from the local vicar. We also have a visiting GP who calls in regularly and an optician and dentist who visit as required.

Our 31 bedrooms – including some double rooms for married couples – are mostly south and west facing with views over the glorious High Kent Weald. Although each bedroom is different and individually decorated, they all have en-suite toilets and hand basins. Residents can personalise their rooms with their own furniture and treasured possessions, such as photographs and pictures.

The shower and bathrooms include specially adapted equipment, so even those with restricted mobility can bathe at leisure. There is a lift to all floors.

Claire Tye – Deputy Manager

I’ve worked in the care industry for 21 years. I’ve now been here for 5 years and never looked back.

My first impression of Birchwood was it was warm and friendly.

My role involves overseeing the running of the home in the absence of the manager, to support our wonderful staff and residents ensuring that all care delivered is of the highest possible standard. 

Working at Birchwood is more personal than other places I’ve worked.

We have beautiful surroundings with a good team of people who are warm friendly.

Food Style

Our home-cooked meals taste great, as well as providing our residents with a balanced, healthy diet, built around their preferences and requirements. Fresh vegetables are supplied by a local grocer, while our chef’s pastry specialism is evident in the daily array of tempting cakes.

We know that our residents prefer traditional food, so that is what we provide. We also know that they don't eat much at any one meal, so we offer four small meals across the day - as well as mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks - to keep their blood sugar and energy levels up. We can cater for special dietary requirements, such as diabetics or vegetarians. And if you or your elderly relative like a glass of wine with your meal or a sip of sherry in the evening, we can arrange that as well.

Breakfast - either continental or cooked - is served in the residents' rooms. For the other meals, they can either eat in their rooms or join their friends in the dining room. The main meal of the day is lunch, which might be a wholesome stew, roast or pie, followed by a traditional pudding. Supper is a three-course meal of soup, followed by a light dish (such as sausage rolls or scrambled eggs on toast) and a cold pudding, such as yoghurt, jelly or mousse. For snacks in between meals, residents are offered a milky drink, sandwiches and biscuits.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE WELLBEING AND MENTAL ENGAGEMENT

We have regular visits from expert professionals who run activities designed to promote mental engagement and wellbeing. There is general noise and nonsense during the weekly ‘Music For Health’ sessions, while the structured reminiscences run by a qualified therapist encourage the residents to talk about the past, often by engaging them with themes tied in with current events, such as Wimbledon or the arrival of a new royal baby.

One of our staff members, who has a real flair for engaging the residents and encouraging interaction between them, has two days per week set aside to run activities. She is guided by what the residents want to do – favourites include board games, playing with balloons and crafts. She is currently creating life books with each of them, researching and recording their life history and family.

We provide regular excursions to places of interest for our residents. Highlights have included trips to the beach at Hastings, Hever Castle, Hadlow College, Teapot Island and garden centres. Favourite destinations often include beautiful gardens and a cream tea!

14th April 2021

11th September 2018

16th December 2015

18th October 2013

18th December 2012

18th September 2012